Process for producing water-resistant polarizing film

ABSTRACT

To obtain a water-resistant polarizing film free from deterioration in dichroic ratio caused by water-resistant treatment, it is critical that adjacent sulfonic acid groups or sulfonate groups in the organic dyes to be used for the polarizing film are spaced at moderate intervals. In a process for producing a water-resistant polarizing film of the present invention, the polarizing film before water-resistant treatment includes an organic dye which comprises an azo compound 20 represented by the following general formula (1) or (2)

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a process for producing awater-resistant polarizing film in which organic dyes are oriented.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a liquid crystal panel, a polarizing plate is used to control opticalrotation of light beams that pass through liquid crystals.Conventionally, in such a polarizing plate, a polarizing plate obtainedby dying a polymer film, such as a polyvinyl alcohol or the like withiodine or a dichromatic dye and stretching the film in one direction hasbeen widely used. However, there has been a problem that theaforementioned polarizing plate is poor in heat resistance and lightresistance depending on the kind of the dye or the polymer film.Moreover, there is a drawback that the polarizing plate has aconsiderable great thickness.

In contrast, a method for forming a polarizing film by casting a coatingsolution including organic dyes exhibiting lyotropic liquidcrystallinity on a substrate, such as a glass plate or a polymer filmand the like to form a polarizing film by orienting the organic dyes isknown. The organic dyes exhibiting lyotropic liquid crystallinity formsupramolecular aggregates in the solution, so that the long axisdirection of the supramolecular aggregates is oriented in a flowingdirection when flowing after applying shearing stress onto the coatingsolution including this (JP 2006-323377 N. Such a polarizing filmemploying organic dyes does not need to be stretched and is easy to havea greater width because of no shrinkage in a width direction bystretching. Further, the polarizing film is expected to have potentialbecause the thickness can be reduced significantly.

Conventionally, organic dyes having a sulfonate group where a sulfonicion (—SO₃ ⁻) is connected to a monovalent cation (e.g., Li⁺) have beenused for a portion of polarizing films in which organic dyes arealigned. Such polarizing films are poor in water resistance because asulfonate group is ionized to be dissolved in water. In contrast, it ispossible to obtain a water-resistant polarizing film which is insolubleor has poor solubility in water by substituting the monovalent cation ofthe sulfonate group for a divalent cation which is insoluble in water tobe water-resistant treated (JP 11-21538 A).

In a conventional process for producing a water-resistant polarizingfilm, however, the orientation degree of organic dyes was deterioratedwhen the aforementioned water-resistant treatment was performed, whichresulted in a problem of a decrease in dichroic ratio.

Conventional processes for producing a water-resistant polarizing filmsuffered from the deterioration of the orientation degree of organicdyes and dichroic ratio. It is an object of the present invention toprovide a process for producing a water-resistant polarizing film whichis free from the deterioration in the orientation degree of organic dyesand the dichroic ratio.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Inventors of the present invention carried out extensive investigationsto obtain a polarizing film free from deterioration in dichroic ratiocaused by water-resistant treatment. As a result, they have found outthat it is critical that adjacent sulfonic acid groups or sulfonategroups in organic dyes to be used for the polarizing film are moderatelyspaced.

The gist of the present invention is described as follows:

In a first preferred embodiment, a process for producing awater-resistant polarizing film according to the present inventionincludes the step of performing water-resistant treatment by bringing aliquid including a divalent cation into contact with at least onesurface of a polarizing film including an organic dye having at leasttwo sulfonic acid groups or sulfonate groups, wherein the organic dyebefore the water-resistant treatment is an azo compound represented bythe following general formula (1) or (2):

wherein Q₁ and Q₂ are respectively an aryl group which may have anysubstituent group; R is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 3carbon numbers, an acetyl group, a benzoyl group, or a phenyl groupwhich may have any substituent group; m is an integer from 0 to 5; n isan integer from 0 to 5 (m+n≦5, at least one of m and n is not 0); k isan integer from 0 to 5; 1 is an integer from 0 to 5 (k+1≦5 and at leastone of k and l is not 0); and M represents an element to provide amonovalent cation.

In a second preferred embodiment of the process for producing awater-resistant polarizing film according to the present invention, theazo compound is represented by the following general formula (3) or (4).

wherein X is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a nitro group, a cyanogroup, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon numbers, an alkoxy grouphaving 1 to 4 carbon numbers or —SO₃M group. R is a hydrogen atom, analkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon numbers, an acetyl group, a benzoylgroup or a phenyl group which may have any substituent group, and Mrepresents an element to provide a monovalent cation.

In a third preferred embodiment of the process for producing awater-resistant polarizing film according to the present invention, theionic radius of the divalent cation is 0.05 to 0.2 nm.

In a fourth preferred embodiment of the process for producing awater-resistant polarizing film according to the present invention, anionic compound to provide the divalent cation in the liquid includingthe divalent cation has a concentration of 1 to 40%.

In a fifth preferred embodiment of the process for producing awater-resistant polarizing film according to the present invention, theliquid including the divalent cation has a liquid temperature of 5 to60° C.

In a sixth preferred embodiment of the process for producing awater-resistant polarizing film according to the present invention, theliquid including the divalent cation is a barium chloride aqueoussolution.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION

It is possible to obtain a water-resistant polarizing film whosedichroic ratio is unlikely to decrease by employing an organic dye inwhich the position of adjacent sulfonic acid groups or sulfonate groupsis spaced at moderate intervals, even after water-resistant treatment isperformed.

For a full understanding of the present invention, reference should nowbe made to the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present inventors have intensively studied so as to resolve theaforementioned problem and they have found out that the position ofadjacent sulfonic acid groups or sulfonate groups used for a polarizingfilm to be subject to water-resistant treatment is critical so as toobtain a water-resistant polarizing film whose dichroic ratio is lesslikely to decrease.

An azo compound which has been conventionally used as an organic dye istypically represented by the following structural formula (5);

As schematically shown in FIG. 1 (a), in an azo compound 10 representedby the structural formula (5), adjacent sulfonic ions 11 were locatedclose to each other, so that the azo compound 10 became bent or twisted,resulting in lost of its linearity when monovalent cations 12 having asmall ionic radius were exchanged for a divalent cation 13 having alarge ionic radius. This led to deterioration in dichroic ratio of theresultant water-resistant polarizing film.

On the contrary, an azo compound to be used in the present invention istypically represented by the following structural formula (6):

As schematically shown in FIG. 1 (b), it is possible to maintain thelinearity of an azo compound 20 represented by the structural formula(6) even after monovalent cations 22 having a small ionic radius wereexchanged for a divalent cation 23 having a large ionic radius becauseadjacent sulfonic ions 21 are spaced at moderate intervals. As a result,it is possible to prevent the dichroic ratio of the water-resistantpolarizing film from being deteriorated caused by water-resistanttreatment.

[Process for Producing Water-Resistant Polarizing Film]

A process for producing a water-resistant polarizing film of the presentinvention includes the step of performing water-resistant treatment bybringing a liquid including a divalent cation into contact with at leastone surface of the polarizing film including an organic dye having atleast two sulfonic acid groups or sulfonate groups, wherein the organicdye before being water-resistant treated is a specific azo compound.According to the production process of the present invention, it ispossible to set an absolute value of the change rate of the dichroicratio of the polarizing film caused by the water-resistant treatmentpreferably at 15% or lower, more preferably, at 10% or lower. Theprocess for producing a water-resistant polarizing film of the presentinvention is not particularly limited as long as it satisfies theaforementioned features, but may include any processes. Typically, theprocess for producing a water-resistant polarizing film of the presentinvention may include the steps of: bringing a liquid including adivalent cation into contact with one surface of the polarizing film;subsequently washing the adhered liquid in water; and drying the liquid.

[Polarizing Film Before Water-Resistant Treatment]

In the process for producing a water-resistant polarizing film of thepresent invention, the polarizing film before water-resistant treatmentincludes an organic dye which comprises an azo compound represented bythe following general formula (1) or (2), wherein Q₁ and Q₂ respectivelyrepresent an aryl group which may have any substituent group. R is ahydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon numbers, an acetylgroup, a benzoyl group, or a phenyl group which may have any substituentgroup; m is an integer from 0 to 5; n is an integer from 0 to 5 (m+n≦5,at least one of m and n is not 0); k is an integer from 0 to 5; 1 is aninteger from 0 to 5 (k+l≦5, at least one of k and l is not 0); and M isan element to provide a monovalent cation, preferably a hydrogen atom oran alkali metal atom.

The polarizing film before water-resistant treatment preferably includesthe azo compound represented by the aforementioned general formula (1)or (2) 50 to 100 weight % out of the total weight of the polarizingfilm.

In the organic dyes that comprises an azo compound represented by thegeneral formula (1) or (2), even when a monovalent cation (M) isexchanged for a divalent cation, the linearity of the azo compound ismaintained because the sulfonic ions are spaced at moderate intervals.This allows the orientation degree and the dicrotic ration of thewater-resistant polarizing film to be maintained before and after thewater-resistant treatment. The substitution position of the hydroxylgroup (—OH) and the amino group (—NHR) is not particularly limited, butmay be substituted for any position of a naphthalene backbone.

The polarizing film before water-resistant treatment more preferablyincludes an organic dye which comprises the azo compound represented bythe following general formula (3) or (4). In the general formulae (3)and (4), R and M are the same as those in the general formulae (1) and(2). X is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a nitro group, a cyano croup,an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon numbers, an alkoxy group having 1 to4 carbon numbers, or —SO₃M group. The organic dye composed of the azocompound represented by the general formula (3) or (4) exhibits stableliquid crystallinity and a polarizing film having a high dichoric ratiomay be obtained.

It is possible to obtain the azo compound represented by the generalformulae (1) to (4) by diazotizing and coupling an aromatic compoundhaving an amino acid (e.g., an aniline derivative and an aminonaphthalene derivative) and a naphthalene sulfonate derivative inaccordance with a conventional method and the obtained monoazo compoundis subject to diazotization and coupling reaction with amino naphthalenesulfonic acid derivative.

Examples of the aforementioned naphthalene sulfonic acid derivativetypically include 8-amino-2-naphthalene sulfonic acid,5-amino-1-naphthol-3 sulfonic acid hydrate or the like. And examples ofthe amino naphthalene sulfonic acid derivative include1-amino-8-naphthol-2,4-disulfonate, 7-amino-1,3-naphthalene disulfonate,2-naphthol-6,8-disulfonate or the like.

The polarizing film before water-resistant treatment may include otherorganic dyes in addition to the azo compound represented by theaforementioned general formulae (1) to (4). Examples of the otherorganic dyes include azo compounds, anthraquinone compounds, perylenecompounds, quinophthalone compounds, naphthoquinonic compounds, andmerocyanine compounds or the like. These organic dyes preferably havetwo or more sulfonic acid groups or sulfonate groups.

It is possible to obtain the polarizing film before water-resistanttreatment by typically casting a coating solution including an azocompound represented by the general formulas (1) to (4) and a solventand then being dried. The aforementioned azo compound may be oriented byflowing when applying shearing force in a liquid crystal state. Theaforementioned azo compound forms supramolecular aggregates in thecoating solution. Accordingly, the long axis direction of thesupramolecular aggregates is oriented in the flowing direction bycasting the coating solution while applying shearing force to thecoating solution to flow. In addition to shearing force, an orientationmeans may combine orientation treatment, such as rubbing treatment andoptical orientation or the like and orientation by a magnetic field andan electric field.

Solvents to be used in the present invention are not particularlylimited, but hydrophilic solvents are preferably used as solvents. Theaforementioned hydrophilic solvents are preferably water, alcohol kinds,cellosolve kinds and mixture thereof. Water-soluble compounds, such asglycerin, ethyleneglycol or the like may be added to the solvents. Theseadditives can be used to control readily solubility and the drying rateof the liquid crystalline coating solution.

[Water-Resistant Treatment]

Water-resistant treatment to be used in a process for producing awater-resistant polarizing film of the present invention is to bring aliquid including a divalent cation into contact with at least onesurface of the polarizing film including an organic dye having at leasttwo sulfonic acid groups or sulfonate groups mentioned above.

The aforementioned divalent cation is not particularly limited, buttypically includes an alkaline-earth metal ion or a metal ion. Examplesof a metal ion includes, for instance, Ba²⁺, Ni²⁺, Ze, ce, Se, Ce or Me⁺and the like. The aforementioned divalent cation may be used as one kindand may be used in combination of two kinds or more.

The inonic radius of the aforementioned divalent cation is preferably0.05 to 0.2 nm, more preferably 0.1 to 0.18 nm. When the inonic radiusof the divalent cation is too large, there is a possibility thatlinearity of the azo compound may be lost, which may result indeterioration in dichroic ratio. When the inonic radius of the divalentcation is too small, there is a possibility for an ion exchange notbeing performed, which may result in no water-resistance is obtained.

An aqueous chloride solution to provide a divalent cation (e.g., bariumchloride solution, lead chloride solution) thereof may be typically usedfor a liquid including the aforementioned divalent cation.

An ionic compound to provide the aforementioned divalent cation in theliquid including the aforementioned divalent cation preferably has aconcentration of 1 to 40%, more preferably 5 to 40%. There are fearsthat handling of the ionic compound may be difficult when theconcentration is too high. And there are fears that no sufficienteffects may be obtained when the concentration is too low.

The liquid temperature of the liquid including the aforementioneddivalent cation is preferably 5 to 60° C., more preferably 10 to 40° C.When the liquid temperature is too high or too low, there are fears thatcracks may occur on the water-resistant polarizing film after beingwater-resistant treated or the water-resistant polarizing film maybecome cloudy.

The liquid including the aforementioned divalent cation is preferably abarium chloride solution. Since a barium chloride solution is neutral,there is no possibility of an application coater being corrosive and itis easy to industrially obtain the solution.

The means for bringing the liquid including the aforementioned divalentcation into contact with at least one surface of the aforementioneddivalent cation is not particularly limited, but, for instance, thepolarizing film may be immersed into a liquid including a divalentcation, alternatively, the liquid including a divalent cation may beapplied on the surface of the polarizing film.

[Water-Resistant Polarizing Film]

It is possible to obtain a water-resistant polarizing film of thepresent invention by subjecting the polarizing film including an organicdye which comprises the azo compound represented by the aforementionedgeneral formulae (1) to (4) to the aforementioned water-resistanttreatment. The water-resistant polarizing film is not particularlylimited as long as the water-resistant polarizing film includes asubstance in which a monovalent cation (M) is substituted for a divalentcation in the aforementioned general formulae (1) to (4). Thewater-resistant polarizing film may typically include a monovalentcation (M) alone without the substitution of a part of theaforementioned monovalent cation (M). In this case, the remained amountof the monovalent cation (M) is preferably 20 or less with respect to100 divalent cations.

The water-resistant polarizing film of the present invention exhibitsabsorption dichroism at least at one wavelength in a visible lightregion (at a wavelength of 380 to 780 nm). The thickness of thewater-resistant polarizing film is preferably 0.1 to 3 μm and thedichroic ratio thereof is preferably 11 or more.

[Applications of Water-Resistant Polarizing Film]

The water-resistant polarizing film of the present invention ispreferably used as a polarizing element. The polarizing element isapplied to various kinds of liquid crystal display apparatuses, such ascomputers, copy machines, mobile phones, watches, digital cameras,Personal Digital Assistance (PDA), portable game devices, video cameras,television units, microwave oven, monitors for car navigation system,car audio videos, monitors for information for stores, supervisorymonitors, and monitors for medical purposes or the like. Thewater-resistant polarizing film of the present invention may be usedafter being released from the substrate or may be used in the state thatthe polarizing film is laminated on the substrate. When the polarizingfilm is used for an optical application while the polarizing film islaminated on the substrate, the substrate is preferably transparent tovisible light. The polarizing film may be used in the state of beinglaminated on other support or an optical element when the polarizingfilm is released from the substrate.

EXAMPLES

The present invention will be more clearly understood by referring tothe Examples below. However, the Examples should not be construed tolimit the invention in any way.

Example 1

In accordance with a conventional method (“Riron Seizo Senryo Kagaku”Fifth Edition (Theoretical production Dye Chemistry), Yutaka Hosoda(published on Jul. 15, 1968, GIHODO SHUPPAN Co., Ltd.), pages 135 to152), a monoazo compound was produced by diazotizing and coupling4-nitroaniline and 8-amino-2-naphthalene sulfonic acid. The obtainedmonoazo compound was diazotized by a conventional method in the samemanner and was further subject to diazotization and coupling reactionwith 1-amino-8-naphthol-2,4-disulfonate lithium salt to obtain a roughproduct including an azo compound having the following structuralformula (6) and salting out was carried out with lithium chloride toobtain an azo compound having the following structural formula (6):

The azo compound of the aforementioned structural formula (6) wasdissolved in ion-exchange water to prepare a coating solution having anazo compound concentration of 20% by weight. The coating solution wasobtained with a polyethylene dropper and was sandwiched by two pieces ofslide glasses. A nematic liquid crystal phase was observed whenobserving with a polarization microscope at room temperature (23° C.).

The coating solution was cast by flowing on the surface of a norbornenepolymer film (produced by Nippon Zeon Co., Ltd., product name “Zeonor”)with rubbing treatment and corona treatment in a thin film state using abar coater (produced by BUSCHMAN, product name “Mayerrot HS4”) to obtaina laminate composed of the polarizing film and the norbornene polymerfilm by natural drying in a temperature-controlled room at 23° C. Thepolarizing film had a thickness of 0.4 μm.

The laminate composed of the aforementioned polarizing film and thenornornene polymer film was immersed into a-20% barium chloride solution(Product name: “Special Grade” produced by KISHIDA CHEMICAL CO., LTD.,ionic radius=0.149 nm) at the liquid temperature of 15° C. for 5 secondsso as to allow the surface of the polarizing film to be water-resistanttreated by washing the laminate in ion-exchange water. Thus obtainedwater-resistant polarizing film was not dissolved even after beingwashed in water. Table 1 shows optical characteristics of the laminatehaving the aforementioned water-resistant polarizing film. Since thenorbornene polymer film of the substrate has substantially isotropicproperties, the optical characteristics of the laminate aresubstantially the same as those of the water-resistant polarizing film.

Example 2

An azo compound of the following structural formula (7) was obtained inthe same manner as in Example 1 except for changing 4-nitroaniline top-anisidine.

The azo compound of the aforementioned structural formula (7) wasdissolved in ion-exchange water to prepare a coating solution with aconcentration of the azo compound of 20% by weight. The coating solutionwas obtained with a polyethylene dropper and was sandwiched by twopieces of slide glasses. A nematic liquid crystal phase was observedwhen observing with a polarization microscope at room temperature (23°C.).

The aforementioned coating solution was used to prepare a laminatecomposed of a polarizing film and a water-resistant polarizing film inthe same manner as in Example 1. Table 1 shows optical characteristicsof the obtained laminate having a water-resistant polarizing film.

Example 3

An azo compound of the following structural formula (8) was obtained inthe same manner as in Example 1 except for changing 4-nitroaniline top-toluidine.

The azo compound of the aforementioned structural formula (8) wasdissolved in ion-exchange water to prepare a coating solution with aconcentration of the azo compound of 20% by weight. The coating solutionwas obtained with a polyethylene dropper and was sandwiched by twopieces of slide glasses. A nematic liquid crystal phase was observedwhen observing with a polarization microscope at room temperature (23°C.).

The aforementioned coating solution was used to prepare a laminatecomposed of a polarizing film and a water-resistant polarizing film inthe same manner as in Example 1. Table 1 shows optical characteristicsof the obtained laminate having a water-resistant polarizing film.

Example 4

An azo compound of the following structural formula (9) was obtained inthe same manner as in Example 1 except for changing8-amino-2-naphthalene sulfonic acid to 5-amino-1-naphthol-3-sulfonatehydrate.

The azo compound of the aforementioned structural formula (9) wasdissolved in ion-exchange water to prepare a coating solution having aconcentration of the azo compound of 20% by weight. The coating solutionwas obtained with a polyethylene dropper and was sandwiched by twopieces of slide glasses. A nematic liquid crystal phase was observedwhen observing with a polarization microscope at room temperature (23°C.).

The aforementioned coating solution was used to prepare a laminatecomposed of a polarizing film and a water-resistant polarizing film inthe same manner as in Example 1. Table 1 shows optical characteristicsof the obtained laminate having a water-resistant polarizing film.

Comparative Example 1

An azo compound of the following structural formula (5) was obtained inthe same manner as in Example 1 except for changing1-amino-8-naphthol-2,4-disulfonate lithium salt to7-amino-1-naphthol-3,6-disulfonate lithium salt.

The azo compound of the aforementioned structural formula (5) wasdissolved in ion-exchange water to prepare a coating solution having anazo compound concentration of 20% by weight. The coating solution wasobtained with a polyethylene dropper and was sandwiched by two pieces ofslide glasses. A nematic liquid crystal phase was observed whenobserving with a polarization microscope at room temperature (23° C.).

The aforementioned coating solution was used to prepare a laminatecomposed of a polarizing film and a water-resistant polarizing film inthe same manner as in Example 1. Table 1 shows optical characteristicsof the obtained laminate having a water-resistant polarizing film.

Comparative Example 2

An azo compound of the following structural formula (10) was obtained inthe same manner as in Example 1 except for changing 4-nitroaniline top-anisidine.

The azo compound of the aforementioned structural formula (10) wasdissolved in ion-exchange water to prepare a coating solution having anazo compound concentration of 20% by weight. The coating solution had apH of 6.0. The coating solution was obtained with a polyethylene dropperand was sandwiched by two pieces of slide glasses. A nematic liquidcrystal phase was observed when observing with a polarization microscopeat room temperature (23° C.).

The aforementioned coating solution was used to prepare a laminatecomposed of a polarizing film and a water-resistant polarizing film inthe same manner as in Example 1. Table 1 shows optical characteristicsof the obtained laminate having a water-resistant polarizing film.

Comparative Example 3

An azo compound of the following structural formula (II) was obtained inthe same manner as in Example 1 except for changing 4-nitroaniline top-toluidine.

The azo compound of the aforementioned structural formula (11) wasdissolved in ion-exchange water to prepare a coating solution having anazo compound concentration of 20% by weight. The coating solution had apH of 6.0. The coating solution was obtained with a polyethylene dropperand was sandwiched by two pieces of slide glasses. A nematic liquidcrystal phase was observed when observing with a polarization microscopeat room temperature (23° C.).

The aforementioned coating solution was used to prepare a laminatecomposed of a polarizing film and a water-resistant polarizing film inthe same manner as in Example 1. Table 1 shows optical characteristicsof the obtained laminate having a water-resistant polarizing film.

TABLE 1 Dichroic ratio of polarizing films Organic dye Before water-After water- compound resistant resistant Change Change No. treatmenttreatment amount rate(%) Example 1 (6) 13 12 −1 −7.7 Example 2 (7) 13 130 0 Example 3 (8) 23 19 −4 −17.4 Example 4 (9) 10 10 0 0.0 ComparativeExample 1 (5) 15 10 −5 −33.3 Comparative Example 2 (10)  15 11 −4 −26.7Comparative Example 3 (11)  20 12 −8 −40.0 Amount of change = (Dichroicratio after water-resistant treatment) − (Dichroic ratio before waterresistant treatment) Change rate = (Amount of change)/(Dichroic ratiobefore water-resistant treatment)

[Evaluation]

(1) Compared with Example 1 (Formula 6) and Comparative Example 1(Formula 5), the change rate of the dichroic ratio greatly differs dueto the difference of the position of —SO₃Li. However, the difference ofthe dichroic ratio before the change comparatively differs slightly.(2) Compared with Example 2 (Formula 7) and Comparative Example 2(Formula 10), the change rate of the dichroic ratio greatly differs dueto the difference of the position of —SO Li. However, the difference ofthe dichroic ratio before the change comparatively differs slightly.(3) Compared with Example 3 (Formula 8) and Comparative Example 3(Formula II), the change rate of the dichroic ratio greatly differs dueto the difference of the position of —SO Li. However, the difference ofthe dichroic ratio before the change comparatively differs slightly.(4) In comparison among Example 1 (Formula 6), Example 2 (Formula 7),and Example 3 (Formula 8), CH₃O— (Example 2) is extremely small in thechange rate of the dichroic ratio and subsequently, —NO₂ (Example 1) isnext to CH₃O— (Example 2), and CH₃-(Example 3) is a little large.However, the absolute value of the dichroic ratio of CH₃-(Example 3) islarge and the absolute value of the dichroic ratio of CH₃O-(Example 2)and —NO₂ (Example 1) is slightly small.(5) Compared with Example 1 (Formula 6) and Example 4 (Formula 9), thechange rate of the dichroic ratio of both examples is extremely small.However, the absolute value of the dichroic ratio of both examples isslightly small.(6) While CH₃-(Example 3) has a slightly large change rate of thedichroic ratio, —NO₂ (Example 1, Example 4) and CH₃O— (Example 2)respectively have a small change rate of the dichroic ratio.(7) While CH₃-(Example 3, Comparative Example 3) has a large absolutevalue of the dichoric ratio, —NO₂ (Example 1, Example 4, and ComparativeExample 1) and CH₃-(Example 2, Comparative Example 2) respectively havea slightly small change rate of the dichroic ratio.

[Measurement Method] [Observation of Liquid Crystal Phase]

The coating solution was obtained using a polyethylene dropper and wassandwiched by two pieces of slide glasses (produced by Matsunami GlassInd. Ltd., product name: “MATSUNAMI SLIDE GLASS”) to observe using apolarization microscope (manufactured by Olympus, product name:“OPTIPHOT-POL”) at room temperature (23° C.).

[Measurement of Thickness]

A portion of a polarizing film was released to obtain the thickness ofthe polarizing film by measuring the level difference using athree-dimensional measurement system of the shape of a non-contactsurface (manufactured by Ryoka Systems, Inc., product name: “MM5200”).

[Measurement of Dichroic Ratio]

The following equation was calculated by a value measured using aspectrophotometer with Glan-Thompson polarizer (produced by JASCOCorporation, product name: V-7100):

Dichroic ratio={−log(1−P/100)×Y _(s)/100}/{−log(1+P/100)×Y _(s)/100}P═(Y_(p) −Y _(c))/(Y _(p) +Y _(c))^(1/2)×100

wherein Y_(s) is simplicial transmittance and Y_(p) is paralleltransmittance, and Y_(c) is orthogonal transmittance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b) are respectively a schematic view illustratingchanges of linearity of an azo compound caused by an ion exchange.

There has thus been shown and described a novel process for producing awater-resistant polarizing film, which fulfills all the objects andadvantages sought therefor. Many changes, modifications, variations,combinations and other uses and applications of the subject inventionwill, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art afterconsidering this specification and the accompanying drawings whichdisclose the preferred embodiments thereof. All such changes,modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do notdepart from the spirit or scope of the invention are deemed to becovered by the invention, which is to be limited only by the claimswhich follow.

1. A process for producing a water-resistant polarizing film comprisingthe step of performing water-resistant treatment by bringing a liquidincluding a divalent cation into contact with at least one surface of apolarizing film including an organic dye having at least two sulfonicacid groups or sulfonate groups, wherein the organic dye before thewater-resistant treatment is an azo compound represented by thefollowing general formula (1) or (2):

wherein Q₁ and Q₂ are respectively an aryl group which has a substituentgroup; R is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbonnumbers, an acetyl group, a benzoyl group, or a phenyl group which has asubstituent group; m is an integer from 0 to 5, n is an integer from 0to 5 (m+n≦5, at least one of m and n is not 0); k is an integer from 0to 5; 1 is an integer from 0 to 5 (k+1≦5 and at least one of k and l isnot 0); and M represents an element to provide a monovalent cation. 2.The process according to claim 1, wherein the azo compound isrepresented by the following general formula (3) or (4):

Wherein X is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a nitro group, a cyanogroup, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon numbers, an alkoxy grouphaving 1 to 4 carbon numbers or —SO₃M group. R is a hydrogen atom, analkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon numbers, an acetyl group, a benzoylgroup or a phenyl group which has a substituent group, and M representsan element to provide a monovalent cation.
 3. The process according toclaim 1 or claim 2, wherein the ionic radius of the divalent cation is0.05 to 0.2 nm.
 4. The process according to claim 1 or claim 2, whereinan ionic compound to provide the divalent cation in the liquid includingthe divalent cation has a concentration of 1 to 40%.
 5. The processaccording to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the liquid including thedivalent cation has a liquid temperature of 5 to 60 degree.
 6. Theprocess according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the liquid includingthe divalent cation is a barium chloride aqueous solution.